If you ever wanted to know what the definition of a dominating pitching performance was, then you wouldn?t have needed to look any further than the effort that Sacramento State?s Nicole Deatherage turned in on Saturday afternoon.

The sophomore pitched a one-hit shutout in game No. 2 of a Saturday doubleheader at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, that elevated the Hornets to an 8-0.

Game No. 1 saw the Mustangs narrowly edge the Hornets 1-0, in a low scoring pitcher?s duel. Cal Poly then dusted the Hornets off on Sunday, beating Sac State in the rubber match 3-1.

With their two victories this weekend, the Mustangs improved their overall record to 24-24 and 7-11 in the Big West, while the Hornets dropped to 16-29 overall and 5-13 in the conference.

Saturday?s second game lasted just five innings as the Hornets beat the Mustangs into submission, forcing the eight-run mercy rule.

The Hornets initiated the onslaught scoring four runs in the third inning.

Jillian Bivert?s RBI single to center field scored the first run of the game, followed by a two-run double from Lesley Mayhorn.

The scoring in the inning was capped off by an RBI single from Erin Coyne, which culminated in a collision at the plate between Lesley Mayhorn and Cal Poly catcher Erin Myers.

The play resulted in a run for Sac State and a concussion for Myers, who was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.

The Hornets then immediately went back to work in the next inning, as Mayhorn continued her assault on Cal Poly?s pitching, smashing a two-run single to right center.

The Hornets scored their final run courtesy of a throwing error from Cal Poly, which sealed the game.

“Nicole came up big for us,” Hornet coach Kathy Strahan said. “Our offensive production coupled with a great outing from Nicole really allowed us to control the game from start to finish.”

Deatherage pitched a gem allowing just one-hit over her five innings of work, making the opposition look as if they had never had a chance. The win lifted the sophomore?s record to 9-7 on the season.

Game No.1 on Saturday unfolded into an all out pitcher?s duel between Sac State?s Jillian Bivert and Cal Poly?s Jamie Gelbart. It was obvious from the onset, that the two pitchers? had brought their best stuff to the mound.

Gelbart allowed just three hits in her seven valiant innings of work, and Bivert allowed only one earned run and five hits in seven innings of work.

The game?s only run came courtesy of Cal Poly?s Carrie Shubert, who in the fifth inning provided the Mustangs with an RBI-single, that ultimately ended up being the game?s only run lifting the Mustangs to a 1-0 triumph.

Sunday?s rubber match proved to be another heartbreaking experience for the Hornets, as the Mustangs, again, edged them out for the second time in the series, pulling out the 3-1 victory.

The Hornets struck first in the top of the first inning, as Bivert launched a rocket to right field that gave the Hornets a temporary 1-0 lead.

Sac State then threatened to do more damage with runners on second and third, but Gelbart got Erin Coyne to pop out, effectively ending the Hornets rally. This play would prove to be critical as the Hornets could not score a run for the remainder of the game.

Cal Poly then retaliated in the next inning. With the bases loaded, Joni Colburn laced a two-run single to right field that gave the Mustangs the lead for good.

Carrie Shubert then provided Cal Poly with an insurance run in the fifth inning with an RBI-single, which closed the door on the Hornets.

“It?s difficult,” coach Kathy Strahan said. “It seems as though we are always in a position to win the close ones, but they somehow slip through our fingers.”

The Hornets will again take the field next weekend as they travel to UC Riverside for a three-game series.

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